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Dolores County adopts 2026 budget, sets levies and approves year-end transfers
Summary
The Dolores County Board of County Commissioners adopted the 2026 budget, set property tax revenue at $2,782,377 based on an assessed value of $99,324,611, approved several appropriation resolutions and authorized multiple grant-to-general-fund transfers during its Dec. 8 public hearing and workshop.
The Dolores County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously on Dec. 8 to adopt the county's 2026 budget, approve appropriation resolutions and authorize several year-end fund transfers as discussed in a public budget hearing.
The board approved the budget transmittal letter and Resolution 12-25-02 adopting the 2026 budget; commissioners then adopted Resolution 12-25-03 (appropriating sums for various funds) and Resolution 12-25-04 (setting property tax revenue/levies). County staff reported an assessed valuation of $99,324,611 and property-tax revenue set at $2,782,377 for budget purposes. A subsequent resolution, 12-25-05, set mill levies for tax abatements; each motion was seconded and recorded as approved.
Why it matters: Adopting the budget establishes the county's spending plan and tax levies for the coming year and triggers transmittal to the assessor and state for certification. County staff told the board that some lines temporarily appear overextended for this time of year but that reserves and timing of receipts are expected to cover obligations.
The board also approved several year-end transfers from grant funds into the general fund to reconcile reimbursements and grant expenditures. Noted transfers approved during the meeting included Resolution 12-25-06 (transfer from EMPG grant funds to the general fund, recorded at $44,912), Resolution 12-25-07 (transfer from Southwest RET EMS grant funds to the general fund, recorded at $19,344), and Resolution 12-25-08 (a smaller transfer of approximately $1,919.78). Commissioners adopted an additional distribution from the Clara Homeston fund (Resolution 12-25-09) for $500.
During the hearing a resident questioned why some mill levies were being certified now rather than on the statutory filing date; staff explained that the county certifies levies that affect county budget lines and is running the process now to give the assessor time to process any follow-up before state reporting deadlines. Commissioners said they can revisit timing in future meetings but provided assurance the process will not adversely affect entities whose certifications follow the later statutory schedule.
Staff noted several line-item clarifications requested by commissioners, including clearer coding of grants that contribute to salary lines (for example, the EMPG grant pays a portion of emergency management salary) and reconciliation of software and maintenance charges (Microsoft 365, Adobe, NetForce) to avoid duplicate payments.
What happens next: The board indicated it will sign the approved resolutions and proceed with the transmittal and certification steps; the board also scheduled follow-up work on grant breakouts and contract coding so the auditors and the assessor receive final, reconciled figures. The board flagged the Dec. 15 meeting as the next opportunity to finalize mill certifications where needed.
Speakers quoted or attributed in this article appear in the article's speaker list.
